Converse is going full rainbow rebellion as other brands quietly ghost Pride - Queerty

Many large corporations increased visible LGBTQ+ support during the 2010s, but some have reduced that backing since Donald Tr*mp returned to the White House. The HRC Corporate Equality Index reported fewer employers submitting queer-friendly policy documentation, including a 65 percent decline among Fortune 500 companies. Some Pride organizations have canceled festivals due to reduced corporate sponsorship and cash shortages. In contrast, Converse released a 2026 Pride collection called “STILL PROUD TO BE.” The range includes rainbow-striped designs inspired by Gilbert Baker, with some items labeled “Still here, still queer,” and a distinctive rainbow sole. Customers can customize patches and labels, and proceeds support LGBTQ non-profits including It Gets Better, the Ali Forney Center, BAGLY, and The Theater Offensive.

"Fewer employers chose to publicly document their practices through CEI submissions in 2026, including a 65 percent decline among Fortune 500 companies, from 377 participants in 2025 to 131 this year."

"Sneaker giant Converse has just dropped its 2026 Pride collection. It's been producing a Pride-related range of merchandise since 2015. Its latest range remains emblazoned with rainbow stripes, inspired by Gilbert Baker (creator of the original Pride flag). Some designs feature labels saying "Still here, still queer." Most feature a distinctive rainbow sole."

"The collection is entitled "STILL PROUD TO BE." Items can be customized, allowing customers to select their own patches and labels. Proceeds from the sale of the items go toward supporting LGBTQ non-profits, including It Gets Better, the Ali Forney Center for homeless queer youth, Boston-based Bagly Inc. (Converse is headquartered in the city), and The Theater Offensive."

"One person to give the collection the thumbs-up is content creator Connor Clary. A video review he posted yesterday has received over 80k likes. Clary quips the collection is so in-your-face gay, "it will leave you wondering 'Should we have even less rights?'""

Read at Queerty